Saturday, January 07, 2006

The Missionary Position

Lord, save us from those who would save us from ourselves.

A small minority of people live in a world today that is so remarkably different from others that it is the terror of the world's larger population to witness. We who live in the world of the modern West are so different from the rest today, and so different from our ancestors, that we nearly resemble a new species of Humankind. We are not only different in our lifestyles, in our opinions, in our concepts, we are different in our nature as people: we are Revolutionaries cut off from the rest of Humanity. Thank God for it!

Until 5000 years ago man lived the life of pastoralism, of hunting and gathering, the equivalent of dumpster-divers scrounging for edibles in the garbage cans of the world. Then, a revolution in farming: men planted and sowed crops and settled and raised up cities and states. From then on Man became a farm animal, mostly the farm animal of another, owned and used.

Three revolutions have changed that condition of Man in the past 250 years, and there is hatred toward those revolutions that does not die but grows in intensity and fury among those who reject our revolutions of Modernity....

US Officials Begin Talks With Iraqi Insurgents

Citing a Western diplomat, an Iraqi political leader and an Iraqi insurgent leader, the Times said that the talks were also aimed at drawing the local leaders into the political process.

According to interviews with insurgents and both U.S. and Iraqi officials, clashes between Iraqi groups and al Qaeda have broken out in several cities across the Sunni Triangle and they appear to have intensified in recent months, the Times said.

A Western diplomat who supports the talks told the Times that the Americans had opened face-to-face discussions with insurgents in the field, and were also communicating with senior insurgent leaders through intermediaries.

The diplomat said the goal was to take advantage of rifts in the insurgency, in particular those between local groups, whose main goal is to expel U.S. forces, and more radical groups like al Qaeda, which have alienated many Iraqis with violent campaigns that have resulted in mass killings of Iraqi civilians.

The diplomat said the talks were taking place "inside and outside Iraq" and began in the fall around the time of the referendum on the new Iraqi constitution on October 15, the Times said. While U.S. officials have made contact with insurgent groups in the past, the diplomat said the more recent contacts were far more significant.

In particular, the diplomat said the talks, of which few details were available, aimed to take advantage of a perceived willingness among Sunni Arabs to take part in politics after large numbers went to the polls for the first time.

Tarik al-Hashimy, the leader of the Iraqi Islamic Party, who said he was in periodic contact with insurgent leaders and had asked them to hold their fire during the elections, told the Times he did not think the talks had made much progress. But the Western diplomat said he hoped to begin to convince insurgent groups that the new government, which is expected to contain a number of Sunni leaders, was worth supporting.

The diplomat did not specify which groups the Americans were speaking to, but the Times said it seemed likely that they included groups like the Islamic Army in Iraq and Muhammad's Army, which are believed to comprise mainly Iraqi nationalists and former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party.

Insurgents told the newspaper that there is widespread hatred for al Qaeda among ordinary Iraqis. Abu Amin, an insurgent leader in Yusefiya and a former captain in the Iraqi Army, told the Times the Americans were especially interested in securing help against al Qaeda, about whom they asked many questions: "Do you have a relationship with? Can you help us attack al Qaeda? Can you uproot al Qaeda from Iraq?"

We can help them, but the price will be the end of the preaching of Jihad, the end of Burqas, the end of strict Sharia, and the implementation of Freedom of conscience and a Democratic Republic.

Ain't Enlightenment Great?

My journey to enlightenment started when I was a final year medical student. One day as I was praying in the rest room of my college one of my professor enter the room. He was sitting there and looking at me praying. When I finish he said "Son can I give you some advice" I replied "OK sir" Then he something which I will remember forever. This is his exact words “Don’t waste your time kissing the floor. The whole Islam is a scam. It is a mad-man ideology of hate. Quran is nothing but a book of baloney."

I was shocked. This proof is a very nice man. Most students liked him. He even took extra hours to teach us. Out of all professors I like him the most. I was thinking how he can say that. I just kept quite and walked out of the room.

Later that day I told my roommate about it. He said it was a common knowledge that he is an atheist. My roommate told me how much he hated this professor. I was dumbfounded. My roommate always saw him to ask his help in studies yet he hated him. Then I told myself that I have to save this man from hell. I thought if I understand Islam deeply, I would be able to explain to him the truth of Islam. I bought a Quran translation by Yusuf Ali and a translation of Sahih Bukhari. That was the turning point in my life. The more I read the Quran; the more realized that the book cannot be from God. The verse on slavery finally broke the shell. I am free now. Free from fear. A religion should give mankind a reason to live yet Islam gives reasons to die.

Unfortunately before I could tell this professor about my enlightenment he died of a heart attack. It was a sad day for me. I was the only "Muslim” who attended his funeral. All other Muslim students I met told me that he is going to hell. What kind of God can condemn such a great man to hell? What is sure is that Muslims had made my life a living hell. Writing to you is the only spiritual luxury I have in an Islamic country. Anyway I am still thankful that Malaysia is just a moderate Islamic country unlike Iran.

The Believers Response to Islam and the End Times

So here’s the question that must be asked: If the Bible says that all of these things are going to happen, then why not simply resign ourselves to “God’s will” and simply let Islam take over our nations and get it over with? Why prolong the inevitable? These are legitimate questions. But they are based on some very false assumptions.

Joel suggests the primary weapon to use is prayer.

He goes on to suggest that our fate may not be determined yet and provides an argument that some Bible verses are hyperbole. That there will be some nations who will come against the Anti-Christ.

I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it Zechariah 14:2

I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel. Joel 3:2

The beast…was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. Revelation 13:7

There are plenty of other verses in the Bible that likewise use this very same type of language, yet are clearly not speaking of every single last nation in the world. These verses as well as the ones above all use a Hebrew grammatical construct that essentially uses an exaggeration of sorts or an emphatic type of statement in order to convey their point.

He ends with a quote written in an article from prominent Bible teacher Francis Frangipane:

“This Day We Fight!”

The conflict before our generation is no less threatening than Nazism and Soviet Imperialism. Radical Islam is a demonic power that seeks world domination. We cannot lose the war against terrorism or morality. We must not open to fear or unbelief, for we were born to fight and win the battles of our times. Again the argument arises, "I was taught that life is supposed to only grow more evil until Christ returns." Yes, such a day will come, but we must not assume that it has arrived. In every age God requires we walk as overcomers. The very fact that there are nations today that are experiencing great harvests and breakthroughs reminds us there is still time for our nations. One of our readers sent us the following excerpt from Aragon, king of Gondor, in The Return of the King. The book's author, J.R.R. Tolkien, an Englishman, denies his work had anything to do with the Great War. Yet, much of his manuscript was written during the height of WWII. The book is a metaphor of all the battles that each generation must face to conquer evil…

“Hopelessly outnumbered, King Aragon sought to inspire his men against what seemed like sure defeat against the swarming hordes of their hellish enemies. Riding in front of his gathered, but rather lowly army, he shouted, ‘I see in your eyes the same fear that would break the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends, and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. This day, we fight! …by all you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you stand with me, men of the West!’”

My family and I support a group that reaches out to Muslims with the Gospel. I sometimes find it hard even as a Christian to find the love in my heart necessary to want to continue doing this. I find myself getting angry at the destructive and Satanic forces inherent in Islam. On the other hand if THIS is where our spiritual enemy resides why not hit Him where it hurts. As far as the Christian gospel is concerned Muslims are the most unreached people's group. (EB) Here is a reminder from Joel:

“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12) While the power and necessity of prayer is indisputable, there is also another dimension to our response that is also absolutely necessary. We must also reach out to Muslims with the consummate Christian message of good news. It is a message of freedom to those who have been held captive by the false Islamic gospel of fear. It is a message of love and acceptance to those who have never really known what it feels like to be accepted and fully loved by God. It is the message that says, God loves you this much. And here’s how He proved it forever… We must never take the gospel message for granted. We must never underestimate its power. Indeed,

It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)

1. Become acquainted with those who are suffering persecution for their faith

How do you begin to get acquainted with the persecuted Church? Firstly there are various organizations that minister directly to the persecuted Church throughout the world. Each ministry has its own special emphasis.

But martyrdom is not merely something for those in some far off lands to think about. Everyone who claims the name “Christian” should be preparing his or her heart for potential martyrdom. This is not an optional preparation for only those who live in third world countries or those who live at certain times in world history. Preparing for martyrdom has always been part of what it means to be a true Christian. Christianity is the only religion that has as its highest example, a man who was tortured and put to death publicly. As Christians, we are his followers.

3. God will empower the Church

Yet during the periods of the early Church and since the communist takeover of China, when martyrdom has been commonplace, the Church has thrived. Not only does the Church grow in such an atmosphere, but it is also experiences the greatest measure of power. Miracles, prophecy, angelic encounters, visions: these are the experiences that we read about as common in such an atmosphere of heavy persecution. Not surprisingly then, the Bible likewise says that in the last-days, when persecution will have peaked on a worldwide scale, the greater Church will experience that same measure of power:

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. Acts 2:17-20

4. Overcoming by being Overcome

The saints at the end of this age will be “conquered.” They will fall by the edge of the sword. They will be taken as captives by the armies of the Antichrist and multitudes will be martyred. The Book of Revelation says that those who come through the tribulation will be a vast multitude “that no one could count”.

Joel shares verses that define the last-days Church. It is the paradox of the cross: Like their Lord and Master, those who are defeated and overcome are the actual overcomers. While those in the army of the Antichrist will think that by defeating their detractors physically and militarily, they will be gaining the victory, they will actually be setting their own snares. Instead, in the wisdom of God, even as it was at the cross, the very ones who appear to be being humiliated, beat down and defeated are the ones who are literally crushing Satan under their feet (Romans 16:20). But how do they overcome him?

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation 12:11

The overcomers will fix their eyes on Jesus, who is not only the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)

but also our example. Jesus set the bar. As such martyrdom for those who have chosen to become followers of Jesus fills the pages of Christianity’s history books. Every apostle, except one, is believed by Church historians to have died the death of a martyr for preaching the Christian message.

Joel provides the examples of Andrew and Stephen in the Bible, and a most recent one found in Iraq.

Kim Sun-il was an evangelical Christian who had always dreamed of being a missionary to Muslims. He had learned Arabic for this purpose and was in Iraq working as an interpreter. All the while he was sharing the gospel message with those he came in contact with. After Kim’s death, the group that claimed responsibility, Tawhid wa al-Jihad made this statement on their web-site:

We have killed an infidel who tried to propagate Christianity in Iraq… This infidel studied theology and was preparing to become a missionary in the Islamic world.

So while most people probably just assumed that Kim was merely another political beheading, to those who killed him, it was because he was speaking about Jesus to the Iraqi people.

I really like how he ends this describing our calling as Christians.

Then Jesus said to them all:

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

Isn’t that what we signed up for? A lifelong exercise of daily dying to ourselves, living for the glory of God and not our own? We cannot expect to walk according to our own ways today and yet expect to die for God tomorrow. Martyrdom is something that we need to begin living now.

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:21,22

Friday, January 06, 2006

Gaza Terrorists Condemn Gaza Terror

The plea was made at a press conference in RafahThe main Palestinian militant groups in Gaza have issued a joint statement calling on the government to end lawlessness in Palestinian territory.The statement condemned the recent abductions of foreigners and attacks on government buildings in the area.

....

Chaos

Masked gunmen read out the statement at a press conference in Rafah.

It was signed by the Fatah-linked al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and Abu al-Rish Brigades; the Fatah Hawks; the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing; the al-Quds Brigades, Islamic Jihad's armed wing; and the al-Nasir Salah al-Din Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees.

"We condemn the death of the two Egyptian border guards and the kidnapping of the foreigners by people who are breaking the national consensus," the statement said.

The groups pledged to establish "a communal force to ensure the security of the motherland and its citizens if the Palestinian Authority does not fulfil its duties."

They also said anyone attacking Palestinian institutions and the border crossing at Rafah in the future would be treated as a suspect and an agent.

Correspondents say the militants appear to be acknowledging growing Palestinian and international pressure to halt the chaos in the Gaza Strip.

The announcement also comes amid concern over the security situation before parliamentary elections due to be held 25 January.

"Among those the Reagan family has invited to the ecumenical service is Mohammad Magid, a D.C.-area Muslim imam with disturbing ties to suspected terrorists.

"Magid, who was born and educated in the Sudan, is the Director of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS). ADAMS has numerous close affiliations with the main targets of Operation Green Quest, 'the largest U.S. terror finance investigation anywhere in the world.' In March 2002, federal agents raided ADAMS’s facility in Herndon, Virginia, as part of an investigation into financial support for terrorism. Federal affidavits state that the 'Grove Street addresses' (500 and 555 Grove St. in Herndon) housed more than 100 interlocking Muslim organizations, most headed by Jamal Barzinji, and these groups gave material aid to terrorists. Among those raided were several major ADAMS associates, including its chairman. Magid himself was present when federal agents raided the Herndon offices of ADAMS in March 2002."

A prominent presence in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., ADAMS tries to build various alliances and is often favorably treated in the local media.

But one of the center's efforts at alliance-building included a meeting in which CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad addressed the audience. These days, Nihad Awad spends a lot of his time objecting to the Patriot Act and to the scrutiny of mosques for radioactive material; he regularly appears as spokesperson for CAIR, more often even than Ibrahim Hooper.

And what else do we know about Nihad Awad? Here's a snippet:

"Awad has a long history of association with extremists, both in this country and in Bosnia. He once worked for senior Hamas political leader Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook’s Islamic Association for Palestine. Awad has removed all doubt about his inclinations, telling a crowd at Barry University in 1994, 'I am a supporter of the Hamas movement.'"

French Train Travel on Upswing

Planning a tour de France? Well, don't forget to check the schedule to ensure you don't spend hours hanging around with nothing to do. Meet and greet our friendly escorts, imported from Sunny Arabia to assist you on your final bon voyage:

Homicide Bomber Heaven: 72 Pig-face Virgins.

In the interests of furthering the collective Muslim tantrum to the point it becomes too obnoxious to bear we are pleased to provide an illustration that we hope will result in rioting and suicide all across the Islamic world; that will result in Muslim ambassadors threatening Denmark with a boycott of all their oil and pork; that will result in Islamic conferences expressing rage and hatred non-stop; and indeed everything short of the murder of yet another fat, middle-aged Dutchman riding his bicycle to work.

Mohammed is a thief, a murderer, and a child molestor, to begin with. Here we are pleased and proud to present a photo of his evil pig-like likeness.

The link below will take you to a jihadwatch contributor who provided us with this illustration.

Most World Leaders Offer Sharon Compassion

PARIS - From Japan to the Atlantic, world leaders praised and worried about Ariel Sharon on Thursday — a remarkable outpouring for a man not long ago seen as a threat to the Middle East.

Even the Arab world was relatively benign toward the Israeli prime minister, with anxiety about the future overshadowing pockets of jubilation. European leaders showed unusual unity in their praise, reflecting a shift in the continent's attitude toward Sharon, driven in part by its own recent experiences with Islamic terrorism.

In the Arab world, some Palestinian and Arab hard-liners rejoiced over Sharon's stroke — and one even called it a gift from God. But Arab media were largely restrained, with Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera, the pan-Arab satellite channels, carrying extensive and mainly straightforward reporting.

Palestinian commentator Ghazi al-Saadi told Al-Arabiya that: "A live Sharon is better for the Palestinians now, despite all the crimes he has committed against us."

"We are not at the point where we would use the measures Israel does, but we understand them better," said Francois Gere, president of the French Institute for Strategic Analysis. (Complete Article)

Of course, there was some of the usual nastiness from the places one would expect:

Iran's president said Thursday he hoped for the death of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the latest anti-Israeli comment by a leader who has already provoked international criticism for suggesting that Israel be "wiped off the map."

"And this is a man who wraps himself in the cloak of a peaceful religion, Islam, and yet you hear remarks like this coming from him," McCormack said. "This regime has isolated the Iranian people from the rest of the world in a matter of months — through its actions and its statements."

In the last two months, Ahmadinejad has called the Holocaust a "myth" and said if Europeans insist it did occur, then they should give some of their own land for a Jewish state, rather than the one in the Middle East. He also called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."

And, despite the fact that Sharon was the one who finally decided to withdraw from Gaza and unconditionally give it to the Palestinians, as they did on 911 as well as on numerous other occasions, they expressed opinions similar to that of Iran's Ahmadinejad-- showing their joy at others suffering:

Ayman Taha: American Patriot and Devout Muslim

Ayman Taha, American Special Forces Soldier was killed, the other day, while serving his country in Iraq:

His father described him as a devout Muslim who believed that "the message of Islam is very simple . . . to believe in God and do good deeds."

Ayman Taha, born in Sudan, was also a member of the US Army special forces who gave up a promising academic career three years ago to enlist. He was sent to Iraq a year ago and was killed last Friday while preparing a munitions cache for demolition.

Again according to his father:

"He strongly agreed that what they were doing is good and that they were helping people in the Middle East to get out of the . . . historic bottleneck" that had confined them.

It occurred to me after reading this piece about him that someone like Ayman Taha must confuse an awful lot of people. Some (like the denizens of MPACuk) would consider him a stooge of the "infidels," who therefore could not have been a devout Muslim. Others (like some of our regular Harry's Place commenters) would argue that he did not understand the true insidious nature of Islam-- which commands believers to fight against, not for, the infidels-- and therefore could not have been a devout Muslim.

Allow me to disagree. I'm willing to take Ayman Taha's father at his word: that his son was a proud US soldier, a believer in his mission in Iraq-- and a devout Muslim.

I agree. I think Ayman sounds like a guy I'd be happy to have as a neighbor and friend.

Thursday, January 05, 2006

The case of the Nice-Lyon train

So according to this witness, "they were Arabs. They have told us they were going to Marseille, we have intented to answer but they have told us they were 47", says Habib, aged 17 -curiosly also Arab, at least his name is-. "They were telling everyone that they were going to make "hala" (a party) that they were going to make a carnage in the train because it was New Year's Day.

Something's Rotten

But not in the state of Denmark! Try Norway:

As reported in this venue (here for example), Muslim displeasure over mere drawings may turn into a boycott of trade with Denmark. On the other hand Norwegians are organizing a boycott of Israel: by a city council of Norway’s 3rd largest city and by Norway’s finance minister. (Also, mentioned here.)

James, of Worthington, suggest we buy Danish! And I suggest we consider boycotting Norway if the finance minister gets the whole country to boycott Israel. Let’s reward the brave Danish. If anyone’s considering getting me a present might I suggest something over here.

Iran Stiffs the IAEA

Sounds like the Persian equivalent of giving the finger.

"An Iranian delegation expected in Vienna to explain to the International Atomic Energy Agency Iran's decision to resume nuclear fuel research did not show up for a meeting on Thursday, the IAEA said.The meeting was called off after the delegation did not appear, said IAEA spokeswoman Melissa Fleming. The IAEA does not know why the Iranian delegation missed the appointment, and no new meeting has been scheduled, she said."

Who can blame them for ditching the IAEA? After all, what is there to talk about? Iran is building the bomb and there's not jack squat the IAEA can do about it.

Infidel Babe Of The Week

Watch Out India for Saudi Kings Bearing Gifts

Let me give you some advice, India. Don't do it. It is poison. Do not take this money, do not allow Saudi Arabia to set up 'education' for Muslims. This money always comes with deadly strings attached. Control over imams, control over published materials, strict interpretation of Islam. In short, breed hatred for Infidels among the Indian Muslims. Turn Muslim women into potatosacks and young Muslims into jealous, slothern haters of India and the Hindus who 'oppress' them. Look about you India - Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Africa. Do you need any more proof? Keep your Muslims ignorant of the hateful jihad that is the only thing Wahabbi Islam knows and preaches. Don't do it.

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has offered to pay to repair India's largest mosque, Delhi's historic Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque). A spokesman for India's foreign ministry confirmed the offer, which had earlier been made directly to the mosque's chief cleric.

The cleric, Ahmed Bukhari, said the 17th century structure was in urgent need of repair.

Media reports say the king also wants to fund education in India.

Concern

"I received the offer directly from the Saudi authorities but asked them to approach the government," Imam Bukhari told the BBC.

The mosque is classified as a historical monument and its maintenance is the responsibility of the Archaeological Survey of India, a government body responsible for the upkeep of historical sites and buildings.

We need millions of rupees for its restoration

Syed Ahmed Bukhari,chief cleric

"We have received this offer and it will be examined in consultation with the concerned authority," foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said.

Imam Bukhari said the minarets of the 17th century mosque needed to be repaired.

"We also need to polish the tombs and repair other parts of the structure."

The Times of India newspaper said the Saudi king also wanted to fund education in India.

Both offers have raised concerns with Indian security agencies who are said to fear that the money could be used to preach radical Islam, the Times reported.

The Jama Masjid was built in 1656 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who also built the Taj Mahal.

The red sandstone and marble edifice has a grand courtyard which can hold more than 20,000 worshippers.

"We need millions of rupees for its restoration," the imam said.

King Abdullah is due to visit India this month and will be the chief guest at the country's Republic Day celebrations.

Meanwhile in Sweden a jeans manufacturer, Bjorn Atldax, has designed a jeans brand with an anti-Christian logo: a skull with a cross turned upside down on its forehead. Will the UN’s Louise Ardour, the EU’s Franco Frattini and the Council of Europe respond the same manner to this attack to another religion?

Senior officials at the Prime Minister's Office said "the situation isdifficult. We are praying the internal bleeding Sharon is suffering can be stopped. We're trying to maintain out optimism but the situation is not looking good."

One of the prime minister's aides told Ynet: "The situation is not good. We're tense. It isn't easy facing this situation. We're concerned."

A massive brain hemorrhage in a 77 year old, overweight widower looks bad indeed. It's sad to think about but he may not make it. Please keep Sharon in your thoughts and prayers.

Sarko en Blog

Bloggers might be lying incompetents with no credibility but that puts them right up there with the MSM if it's true. The weasels in the mainstream media are so full of their supposed self-importance, which even they can't believe in anymore unless they're held hostage by Presbyterian dhimmis and get their pretty faces on TV to see themselves in all their idiot glory, that fewer people every day are even pretending to take them seriously. Politicians lie for a living. We all know that. And more and more people are coming to realise that the MSM lies for a living too. More people all the time now choose to compare the varied works of bloggers to make some sense out of what the world is about. Yes, even politicians are understanding how irrelevant the MSM is becoming. The conformity weasels can find work as department store mannequins when the whole commercial media edifice crashes.****Mon Dieu, A Media Breakthrough Presidential hopeful Nicolas Sarkozy is the first to make his pitch in a podcast

Nicolas Sarkozy, the law-and-order Interior Minister who wants to be France's next President, rarely passes up a chance to speak before an audience. So when Loïc Le Meur, one of the country's most widely read bloggers, approached him about doing a podcast interview, the answer was mais oui.

The Dec. 22 interview has created a sensation in the French blogosophere. It has attracted more than 50,000 views on Le Meur's blog, www.loiclemeur.com, and has been picked up by scores of other French blogs. True, that's a small audience compared with the millions that tune in to the nightly TV newscasts. But in France, the Sarkozy podcast -- the first ever by a French political leader -- qualified as a watershed event. Equally startling to the French, Sarkozy and Le Meur broke with customary etiquette by addressing each other with the familiar "tu" rather than "vous" during their meeting. Hundreds of viewers have posted messages on Le Meur's site in recent days, showing that French politicians can no longer ignore the growing importance of nontraditional media (BW -- July 11).

Still, the interview in the Interior Ministry's elegantly appointed drawing room didn't generate any headline news. Le Meur and Sarkozy chatted amiably about the Internet and podcasting, and Sarkozy described how, as head of the ruling Union for a Popular Majority, he has used e-mail appeals to boost party membership. On a more controversial subject, Sarkozy defended his handling of the recent rioting in the suburbs of Paris and other cities. Critics have said that Sarkozy's tough policing methods stirred unrest among minorities and that he spurred more violence when he referred to rioters as "rabble."

Le Meur says some journalists have criticized him for going too easy on Sarkozy. But, he says: "I didn't want to be confrontational. I did this mainly for my own enjoyment and to learn more myself." .... Although he admits he has little expertise in either journalism or politics, Le Meur says many French journalists have lost objectivity in their coverage of Sarkozy. A recent interview with him in the left-wing newspaper Libération, for example, included the question: "Weren't you ashamed of the way you responded to the riots?" http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_02/b3966059.htm****

In time more and more bloggers will find themselves subject to politicians begging for interviews because no one bothers with television and newspapers. In fact, if George's secretary calls my secretary I think I can find a few minutes for him next week. Jacques, sorry, mon ami, you're out of luck.

For analysis on the ongoing disaster that is Gaza, see Martin Peretz's fine piece Mayhem in Gaza.

Update: Amazing. What Arabic for chaos?

"As many as 300 Palestinians crossed into Egypt after the wall was smashed, an Egyptian security official said. Brig. Adel Fawzi, director of criminal investigation for North Sinai, said border police were unable to stop the intruders because they had no orders to shoot. An Egyptian armored vehicle was set on fire and at least three Palestinians were reported injured, one seriously when an Egyptian troop carrier crushed him against a wall, witnesses said."

Update 2, Gaza vs. Egypt: Palestinians shot and killed 2 Egyptian security guards. They wounded 30 others. The Egyptians are now firing back. "The scene was one of utter chaos, with Palestinians setting fire to car tires. An Egyptian armored vehicle was burning and hundreds of Palestinians could be seen crouched in farm fields just inside Egypt. ...Palestinians were firing automatic weapons and shotguns. ... Egyptian troops were forced to pull back one kilometer from the border. ...Officials variously estimated between 300 and 3,000 Palestinians rushed through the border... Shortly after the Palestinians breached the barrier, Egyptian officials cut electricity to the crossing point and imposed a curfew."

The following are excerpts from an interview with Bahraini women's rights activist Ghada Jamshir, which aired on Al-Arabiya TV on December 21, 2005. TO VIEW THIS CLIP, VISIT: http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=978.Interviewer: "What do you have against the Shari'a courts?" Ghada Jamshir: "I have a lot against them. What they have done to Bahraini women is not a trivial matter. For years women have been going into these courts, only to be oppressed and treated unjustly. We have reached the point that we say: Enough. We have reached the breaking point." Interviewer: "Some people say that Ghada Jamshir is a Sunni, and that this is why she is leading the battle against [mut'ah] marriages, which are authorized by religious law among the Shi'ites."Ghada Jamshir: "Authorized by religious law?!" Interviewer: "Among the Shiites, yes." Ghada Jamshir: "Does the Islamic Shari'a authorize mut'ah marriages? Does the Islamic Shari'a authorize mut'ah according to the following classification: 'Pleasure from sexual contact with her thighs.' 'Pleasure from a little girl.' Do you know what 'pleasure from a little girl' means? It means that they derive sexual pleasure from a girl aged two, three, or four." Interviewer: "Let's not go into details..." Ghada Jamshir: "Let me tell you what 'pleasure from sexual contact with her thighs' means..."Interviewer: "Don't give me the details..." Ghada Jamshir: "This is a violation of children's rights! This constitutes sexual assault of the girl.What does 'pleasure from sexual contact with her thighs' mean? It means deriving sexual pleasure from an infant. How old is an infant? One year, a year and a half, a few months? "Is it conceivable for a grown man to have sex with an infant girl? And you people tell me that the Islamic Shari'a authorizes this?There are women whose families are extremist. They even force them to marry against their will. "You tell me, why is female circumcision still practiced in the Arab world? Why? Because there is no education, no awareness. A few days ago, a four-year-old girl called An'am died in Sudan." Interviewer: "Why?" Ghada Jamshir: "Because she had been circumcised. Four years old, and she died of blood poisoning.""I am convinced that I was 100% right in everything I have done." Interviewer: "You have been accused of heresy by some places... some Internet forums."Ghada Jamshir: "So what? You think that if they accuse me of heresy, it affects me?" Interviewer: "You don't care?" Ghada Jamshir: "No. Allah will decide whether I go to Paradise or to Hell, not them.""These are the methods of the weak." Who gave them the right to accuse me of heresy?"Interviewer: "Who gave you the right..." Ghada Jamshir: "Did they see whether I pray or not? Or maybe it's because I don't wear a veil."Interviewer: "So you don't care. It doesn't affect you?" Ghada Jamshir: "It doesn't bother me at all."

Parallel and Perverse Worlds

American mother, Cindy Sheehan. Palestinian mother, Umm Nidal.

These women are not opposites. They are negative images of one another. Sheehan’s world view says nothing about America is worth dying for. Mamma Nidal says she saved her sons for Allah by making them jihad suicide killers. Hers is only nationalist on the surface. Scratch a little off and you’ll see a world wide ummah.

Do you see the perversion of absolutes in each world view?

One sacrifices nothing because there is nothing worth sacrificing for. She refuses to honor her son’s decision to serve his country and put his life at risk for his country. He went against his mother's Absolute: there is absolutely nothing in America worth that sacrifice. Her world view could not sustain her son so he rejected it.

The second deliberately inculcates in her sons the wish to die for her belief, and to take others with them, others she sees as evil. If women and children die along with her sons? An Islamic shrug — Allah wills it. Their glory is all the greater in Paradise. Jihad is their absolute, taken in with their mother's milk and spilled out for all eternity.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Each woman has sons who died in battle. Each of them is running for office based on their sons’ deaths.

An Infidel Announcement

We have added two Malaysian bloggers, MaoBi the Anti-Jihadist, within the past few days. This brings the total number of Infidel bloggers to 18, with contributors hailing from Italy, Spain, England, Malaysia, and the United States.

I would like to add bloggers from Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Turkey, Australia, Indonesia, Israel, and anywhere in the Arab world, or Islamic Africa.

If any of my fellow Infidels know of any worthy bloggers from these various countries, please let me know.

NSA Leaks: An Attempted Coup d' Etat By Members Of CIA?

The Astute Blogger says he believes "career bureaucrats," attempting to circumvent the will of the people, and bring down a popularly elected President, are the source of the leaks about NSA surveillance.

Thai Beheading Watch - Contestant 16

Number 16 beheading since Muslims decide that they want to commit violence in South Thailand. No word yet on what the heck they want. Maybe they just want to behead folks. Who knows?

Either Al-Reuters has forgotten how to count or the dhimmis there are trying to whitewash the numbers:

The attack marks the latest in a string of violent incidents in the far south, which has seen nearly two years of unrest in which more than 1,000 people have been killed. At least 10 of those deaths have come from beheadings.

Yeap. That's like knowing eight people died in a fire and saying "at least five people were burnt to death". Nice try Reuters. For those playing from home you can follow this link and count back from fifteen.

For a rebellion, it's ironic that this is the first soldier the rebellion has killed. Perhaps they were running out of senior citizens to behead but soldiers make such inconvenient targets since they may actually fight back.

Islamic Jihadism and The End Times

Infidel Bloggers Alliance is not a Christian website. Some of our bloggers are Christians, and some are not. However, just as we do not place limitations on the expression of secular Infidel beliefs, neither will we limit the expression of Christian Indifelism here at our ass-kicking blog.

Today, I want to take a little look at Christian Eschatology, which is, in part, the study of the End Times. Many Christian Eschatologists believe that the rise of radical Islam, or Islamic Jihadism is a sign that the return of Christ is near.

Fellow Infidel, Elmer's Brother, has put together an amazing post on how Islamic Jihadism fits in with Bible Prophecy. It starts by explaining that for every Prophecy listed in the Bible regarding the Last Days, there is a correlating Islamic Prophecy which just happens to turn the meaning of the Bible on it's head.

For instance, the Bible says when the Antichrist appears he will try to kill all those who believe in Christs death and Resurrection. Meanwhile, the Islamic Messiah who is to appear in the Last Days kills all the Christians and Jews.

Now, what do you think about that? How did that happen? Do you think Mohammed was brilliant enough to have had a comprehensive knowledge of Biblical Prophecy and the motivation, prior to his rejection by Christians and Jews, to have decided to stand the Judeo-Christian Bible on it's head?

Could that really have happened?

It seems to me the evidence presented in the Koran shows Mohammed to be a man of middling to above average intelligence who was controlled by petty grievances, and an almost infinite abyss of anger within his soul.

And yet, somehow, if you read Elmer's Brothers post, you will see that he seems to have been able to wrap that intelligence around the intricacies and poetics of Biblical Prophecy.

Wowee Zowee. That's some feat.

Now, check it out. We look at the Dhimmification of Western Society a lot here and on our respective blogs. But, did you ever expect to see the American Christian Evangelical community to become pathetically Dhimmified? Honestly, we should have, because my personal experience is that Evangelical Christians, often, will do anything to avoid controversy, because controversy isn't "nice," and niceness is next Godliness.

I mean, how could anyone believe that a religion that tells its adherents to slay infidels and kill Jews was part of an evil plan? How could anyone think that stoning women to death for adultery was evil? How could anyone think that forcing women to live as slaves is evil? How could anyone think that suicide bombing of children for political expediency was evil?

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Black Gold

In Dymphna’s recent post about Saudi Arabia, commenter westbankmama took exception to some of the questions that were being asked and posed her own:

…some more pertinent questions would be:

What do you drive?

Is there a commuter rail system where you live — and if not, why not?

How do you heat your house — and how much larger is it per person than the house you grew up in?

Putting aside the somewhat self-righteous tone of the questions, westbankmama has a point: the demand for oil — particularly by the United States — allows the despotic Saudi regime to accumulate the wealth that it uses to oppress its own populace and fund terrorist activities and propaganda worldwide.

So put on an extra sweater! Bike to work! Forego your vacation! Every penny kept out of King Abdullah’s hands is a penny earned.

And somehow we will have to persuade India and China to halt their economic development, since it is the recent and enormous increase in their demand which is largely responsible for the steep rise in oil prices over the last several years. Tell the farmers in Gujarat that they’ll have to do without electricity, in order to stop the Great Islamic Jihad in its tracks!

There’s something not quite right with this argument…

Just for fun, imagine that tomorrow a huge new gold field is discovered by Pakistani geologists under the mountains of northern Waziristan. Thousands of tons of gold are suddenly added to Pakistan’s treasury, giving it the kind of international leverage that is normally reserved for the members of OPEC...

Russia's decision to cut gas imports to Ukraine is causing dismay across Europe, where supplies in a number of countries have been disrupted. The US has also expressed concern, saying the move raised "serious questions about the use of energy to exert political pressure".

Iran says its nuclear programme is for purely peaceful purposes Iran has dismissed a proposal that it conduct uranium enrichment in Russia as a way out of an impasse in talks over its controversial nuclear programme. Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said it was not logical for any country to entrust its energy security to another state.

This seems WAY TOO too too too TOO coincidental for me.

Russia COULD have postponed this decision, or "stair-stepped" the price increase (to GRADUALLY get Ukraine up to market price), or they could have given Ukraine the same price as Belarus.

INSTEAD, Putin - and Schroeder - decided to cut off Ukraine and create HUGE HEADLINES just after they offered their CLIENT STATE IRAN a supposed nuclesar enrichemtn deal to end the EU3-Iran nuclear stalemete.

This is WAY too convenient for Iran. And SEEMINGLY let's Russia off the hook;

Soccer Dad sticks his Fisk up the Washington Posts orifice and has a look around, but why don't we also look at what Hamas stands for. This is from the Hamas Charter:

"Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it."

"The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Moslem generations until Judgement Day. It, or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or any part of it, should not be given up. "

"There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors."

"After Palestine, the Zionists aspire to expand from the Nile to the Euphrates. . . Their plan is embodied in the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion", and their present conduct is the best proof of what we are saying."... the Islamic Resistance Movement aspires to the realisation of Allah's promise, no matter how long that should take. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him salvation, has said:

"The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Moslems, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him. Only the Gharkad tree, (evidently a certain kind of tree) would not do that because it is one of the trees of the Jews." (related by al-Bukhari and Moslem).

That's some "reform" Hamas is looking towards, huh? And, the Washington Post is ok with this?

Speaking at a rehabilitation center on December 24, the controversial left-wing president said “the descendants of those who crucified Christ... have taken ownership of the riches of the world, a minority has taken ownership of the gold of the world, the silver, the minerals, water, the good lands, petrol, well, the riches, and they have concentrated the riches in a small number of hands.”For Spanish speakers on this list, the full speech can be found here (PDF file). (The remarks about Jews are on page 18.)

Ok, so the governments of Iran, Venezuela, and the Peaceful State of Palestine are in agreement. The Jews are wily devils, and they need to be removed like a cancer.Hmm, the times we are living in remind me of something, some other time I had learned about. What was it again?

Bank Holiday Lowdown

Pakistan Aids Earthquake Victims By Expelling Christians - [via News From Eurabia] - In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, Bishop Anthony Lobo of Islamabad-Rawalpindi said he feared that the incident of forced ejections he had uncovered was just one of many taking place across the region. The bishop continued: "In one district near Joharabad, all the people are being thrown out -- all of them are Christians. We are the most vulnerable people, we are very poor and we are easy targets."

Bavaria Cracks Down On Islamic Propagandists - [via The Trumptet] - Bavarian authorities banned a Bavarian-based Islamic group, the Multi-Kultur-Haus, on Dec. 28, 2005, “after seizing material allegedly inciting Muslims to kill Jews and Christians and carry out suicide attacks in Iraq”Ann Arbor bank creates subsidiary for Muslims - [via Miami Herald] - A bank that has been offering special services for Muslims for two years has now formed a subsidiary to focus solely on the religious group.The Ann Arbor-based University Bank has created University Islamic Financial Corp. to offer Muslims home financing, deposit accounts and Islamic mutual fund shares."The formation of the subsidiary allows us to have a financial institution which is 100 percent in compliance with the Muslim Shariah, the legal code of the Islamic religion," bank President and Chairman Stephen Lange Ranzini told The Ann Arbor News for a Saturday story.Thailand - Terrorists Behead Soldier, Wound Three Others - [via AlertNet] - Insurgentsbeheaded a Thai soldier in the Muslim-dominated south of Thailand on Monday morning and wounded three other soldiers in the latest attack in the restive region, police said.The four soldiers were ambushed by suspected Muslim militants while travelling down a road in Yala province, they said.Egyptian Muslim Organisation Tells Danish Journalists How To Report On Islam - [via Cage] - Muslim activists, including award-wining British journalist Yvonne Ridley, are planning an international one-day conference for journalists in Denmark next March...after the Denmark conference, they will start planning for another conference in Australia.Aussie Flags Banned Over Fear Of Upsetting "Youths" - [via Jihad Watch] - PLANS to fly Australian flags over the famous Bondi Beach pavilion were vetoed because of fears the symbols could incite more racial violence on Sydney's beaches.

The New Palestinian Chic 628 A.D.

The Gaza has devolved to 628 AD, chaos reigns. Kidnapping, ransoms, murder, bombings, tribal gangs. Accompanying the spiral downward is of course women's rights. You see it everywhere by one clear sign; wherever Islam is attaining increasing control, the clothes and headdresses women wear become more restrictive. Used to be in Indonesia and Malaysia, women's dress was very colorful with a lightly draped headscarf showing plenty of hair and ear and neck. Don't see that in pictures of Indonesia and Malaysia anymore, do you? The same is true in Palestine. Ten years ago, you would see women without scarfs or very loose scarves.

But now look at this photo from November, 2005. Ali Sina describes this sexual fixation mentality, and often makes comments about women and their obsession with covering their 'privates' where the entire body is "100% vagina" if you wear a burga with the knitting so the eyes cannot be seen. But in this case, this woman thinks she is "98% vagina." You see Mohammed set down all these restrictions as a means to control his harem. After all, he was getting old, there was no viagra, and lots of young studs sneaking around willing to risk the wrath of Mohammed making that second kind of 'booty' call we know today.

So here we have Palestine, it's 628 A.D., and the rest of the world looks on not knowing what to do. I say leave them to their anarchy. We have paid so much jizyah and look what we have bought. Why would we buy anymore?

* jizya (Arabic): This is the poll tribute tax that infidels must pay for being allowed to live in the Islamic state (such infidels are called dhimmis*). It is often paid in a humiliating manner, with the Jew or Christian being made to enter the tax collector's office with eyes to the ground, and then being struck in the face or on the back of the neck while paying.

Fight against those to whom the Scriptures were given as believe in neither God nor the Last Day, who do not forbid what God and His apostle have forbidden, and do not embrace the true Faith, until they pay tribute out of hand and are utterly subdued. —Qur'an 9:29

"Converts take on larger roles in militant Islam"

Converts are prized by radical Islamic groups because they can usually operate freely in Europe, Asia and North America without arousing the suspicion of police. They are also often eager to accept dangerous assignments as a way to prove their devotion, experts said.

"What is new is that with al Qaeda, converts are now considered full members," said Olivier Roy, research director at the French National Center for Scientific Research and an authority on Islamic radicalism. "For al Qaeda, converts are not just tools to get past security. It's a way for them to become a global movement. In just about every al Qaeda cell over the past eight years, we have seen converts. It's structural, not just accidental."

Many converts have become trusted operatives at the highest levels of al Qaeda. Christian Ganczarski, a Polish-born German who trained in Afghanistan and met Osama bin Laden, was arrested in Paris in June 2003. Investigators said he was in direct contact with Khalid Sheik Mohammed, organizer of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, and helped plan at least two attacks in Africa.

Dhiren Barot, a British citizen and alleged ringleader of a scheme uncovered in 2004 to attack financial targets in New York and Washington with weapons of mass destruction, was born to Hindu parents but converted to Islam at age 20. U.S. investigators say Barot took orders from Abu Feraj Libi, a high-ranking al Qaeda planner captured in Pakistan last year.

Other converts who allegedly reported to the top tier of al Qaeda include Jose Padilla, a U.S. citizen, and Binyam Mohammed, an Ethiopian-born resident of London, both of whom are accused by Pentagon officials of planning "dirty bomb" attacks and other plots against the United States. Richard Reid, convicted of trying to blow up an American Airlines jet in December 2001 with explosives stuffed in his shoes, is another convert who was assigned his mission by top al Qaeda leaders.

Converts are still commonly recruited as foot soldiers as well. On Nov. 9, Muriel Degauque, a 38-year-old Belgian and former Catholic, achieved the distinction of becoming the first female Muslim suicide bomber from Europe when she attacked a U.S. patrol in Iraq, wounding one soldier and killing herself, according to Belgian officials.

Jordanian commandoes are headed for Iraq:

Jordanians were very angry at the November 9th al Qaeda suicide bombings in Jordan. The attacks killed mostly Jordanians and other Arabs. Jordan, with hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Sunni Arabs in residence, and even more Palestinians, had been one of the few Arab nations left where most of the people approved of al Qaeda. No more. Jordanians now want revenge. . . this month, a team of Jordanian counter-terrorism commandoes was dispatched to Iraq.

Greetings from the Anti-Jihadist

This is the anti-Jihadist, and I'm new around here, although I've been posting over at Pedestrian Infidel (PI) for awhile now. My blogmate Axis of Islam and I make fresh postings at PI almost everyday, so feel free to come over and check out our stuff. And since I'm currently located in fair Dar-al-Islam (Malaysia), I'm privy to seeing many Muslim Moonbats and their doings first hand. So there's always plenty to write about. I'll be posting excerpts of my PI postings here, as well as links to same.

Hope to see you all at PI soon. A very happy infidel New Year's Day from Malaysia!

Party!

The Parallel Government
Of The Entire World

All of us, every single man, woman, and child on the face of the Earth were born with the same unalienable rights; to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, if the governments of the world can't get that through their thick skulls, then, regime change will be necessary.

Infidel Babe Of The Week
Can it be anyone else?

IBA Quote of the Week.

“The impulse to both communism/fascism seems to stem from an ultimately childish desire, that is, The world of people is too complicated and I want to make it simple and get it under control. Almost like the political projection of obsessive-compulsive disorder. With OCD you want to make it so that every carpet thread is in its place, with the collectivist-socialist fantasy you want to make it so that every person is in his place. Smooth out differences so they aren't visible (or there are only a few differences, i.e. you think only in terms of 'classes'), that way the large complexity of things doesn't confuse me and I don't have to think about individual people. To think of the world as a large differentiated collection of individual people all doing and wanting different things is frightening. Must....get...it...under...control...and...manage it. That's the motive of the communist and the fascist alike."

The Infidel Bloggers Alliance Radio Show

Gathering Storm Report Radio Show

"An Islamic regime must be serious in every field," explained Ayatollah Khomeini. "There are no jokes in Islam. There is no humour in Islam. There is no fun in Islam."

****************

"I want to be very, very clear, however: I understand and agree with the analysis of the problem. There is an imminent threat. It manifested itself on 9/11. It's real and grave. It is as serious a threat as Stalinism and National Socialism were. Let's not pretend it isn't."~~~~~Bono~~~~~